Sunken Gardens (Florida) facts for kids
The Sunken Gardens are a beautiful botanical garden in St. Petersburg, Florida. They cover about 4 acres (1.6 hectares) and are located in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. These gardens have been around for over 100 years. They are one of the oldest tourist spots in the United States that people could visit by the road.
Today, the City of St. Petersburg runs the Sunken Gardens. Volunteers also help keep them looking great. You can visit the gardens every day of the week. There is a small fee to get in, or you can buy a yearly pass. The Sunken Gardens are a great example of a fun Florida roadside attraction from the 1930s. They might even be the oldest one on Florida's west coast! People can come here for special events like weddings. Many weddings have happened on the Wedding Lawn for decades.
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History of Sunken Gardens
The Sunken Gardens started way back in 1903. A plumber named George Turner Sr. loved gardening. He bought six acres of land. This land had a shallow lake that was 10 feet (3 meters) below sea level. George drained the lake to make his own "sunken" garden.
He began planting many different plants. He grew papayas and citrus fruits. He also planted other interesting plants around his home. By the 1920s, George had opened a plant nursery. He sold fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Visitors would pay a nickel to walk through his beautiful gardens.
In the fall of 1935, George put a fence around his garden. He started charging 25 cents for entry. The gardens became very popular. From the 1950s to the 1970s, they were one of Florida's top ten tourist spots. George Turner Sr. passed away in 1961. His sons, Ralph and George Jr., continued to run the gardens. Later, Ralph's three sons took over. In 1999, the family sold the gardens to the City of St. Petersburg for over $2.26 million.
Historic Buildings at Sunken Gardens
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Sanitary Public Market
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 Location in Florida
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| Location | St. Petersburg, Florida |
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| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000680 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 2002 |
The Sunken Gardens also have a large historic building. It was first built in 1926-27. It was known as the Sanitary Public Market. The building had a special design with two Moorish towers. It also had a tile roof.
In 1940, the building became a Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Its style was changed to Art Moderne. The Turner family bought the building in 1967. They turned it into the World's Largest Gift Shop. They also added the King of Kings Wax Museum. In 1999, the City of St. Petersburg bought this building along with the gardens. Voters approved the tax money for this purchase.
The gardens became a local historic landmark. They were restored over several years. On June 27, 2002, the old Sanitary Public Market building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Today, this building is home to the Great Explorations Children's Museum.
Plants and Animals at Sunken Gardens
The gardens are home to over 500 types of tropical plants. You can see more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. There are also pools and pretty waterfalls. The gardens have a special Japanese garden. You can also find a cactus garden and a butterfly garden.
One of the most famous animals there are the Chilean flamingos. You can see many different plants like bougainvilleas and royal palms. There are also water lilies, shrimp plants, and fruit trees. The garden feels very peaceful. Many plants are very large because they have been cared for a long time.
Chilean Flamingos Life Cycle
In 2016, Sunken Gardens welcomed a new group of 20 young flamingos. They came from the San Antonio Zoo. These new birds joined two older flamingos named George and Lucy. George and Lucy were part of the first group of 17 flamingos that arrived in 1956.
A group of volunteers called "Flamingos Forever" helped buy the new flamingos. The city also bought a $30,000 enclosure for the new birds to stay safe at night. After getting the new flamingos, the group changed its name to "Sunken Gardens Forever." The Mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Kriseman, even named May "Sunken Gardens Forever Appreciation Month." This was to thank them for all their hard work.
Learning Programs at Sunken Gardens
Sunken Gardens offers many educational programs. These programs are for both children and adults. They teach about plants and other interesting topics. For example, "Cameras and Kids" teaches children nature photography. Kids can use their own camera or smartphone.
Other programs include "Propagation Techniques" for growing plants. You can also learn about "Growing Microgreens." There are classes on "Rain Gardens and Barrels." Another fun class is "Think Outside the Pot: Mounting Orchids." Many programs are free if you are a member. They are also included with your paid admission. Some special programs might have an extra fee.
See also
In Spanish: Sunken Gardens (Florida) para niños
